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Patrescence in Southern Thailand: cosmological and social dimensions of fatherhood among the Malay-Muslims

Merli C

Cult Health Sex, 2011 Dec;13 Suppl 2:S235-48.
PMID: 21409659 DOI: 10.1080/13691058.2011.558592

This paper examines fatherhood among the Malay Muslims of Southern Thailand (representing a minority at the national level, but constituting the majority population in the region). Traditional practices related to birth and the postpartum period are upheld as a marker of ethnic and religious identity by such groups. Building on the concept of patrescence as 'becoming a father', proposed by Dana Raphael, the data presented show how the process of assuming fatherhood develops during pregnancy and continues after birth through a series of ritual practices in which a man contributes to female postpartum practices. The medicalisation of birth in synergy with recent literalist interpretations of Islam has impacted on these practices, making it difficult to comply with the ritual burial of the afterbirth, which constitutes the cosmological and physical anchoring of individual and ethnic identity to the soil.

Matched MeSH terms: Culture*
An improved selective and differential medium for the isolation of Burkholderia pseudomallei from clinical specimens

Francis A, Aiyar S, Yean CY, Naing L, Ravichandran M

Diagn Microbiol Infect Dis, 2006 Jun;55(2):95-9.
PMID: 16626918

Isolation and culture of Burkholderia pseudomallei remains the main stay in the diagnosis of melioidosis. Thus, the search for selective and differential media for B. pseudomallei has been ongoing. A number of such media have been reported with varying efficacy. Ashdown medium is the most established selective medium for the isolation of B. pseudomallei. There are no reports of differential media differentiating B. pseudomallei from Burkholderia cepacia. This report documents such a selective and differentiating medium for B. pseudomallei. Of a total of 1042 clinical specimens containing mixed flora and gram-negative isolates that were tested on this medium, 16 of the specimens yielded B. pseudomallei. The isolation rate was found to be 1.5%. This medium was found to be simple and inexpensive, can be made by small laboratories, and called as Francis medium. Based on the colony morphology and color, a preliminary report can be made within 18-24 h for the presence of B. pseudomallei. Our study showed that this medium had an overall sensitivity of 78.4% with a specificity of 92.2%. The use of this medium as an early diagnostic tool will help to reduce mortality and morbidity of melioidosis patients.

Matched MeSH terms: Culture Media/chemistry*
Improved production of live cells of Lactobacillus rhamnosus by continuous cultivation using glucose-yeast extract medium

Ling LS, Mohamad R, Rahim RA, Wan HY, Ariff AB

J Microbiol, 2006 Aug;44(4):439-46.
PMID: 16953180

In this study, the growth kinetics of Lactobacillus rhamnosus and lactic acid production in continuous culture were assessed at a range of dilution rates (0.05 h(-1) to 0.40 h(-1)) using a 2 L stirred tank fermenter with a working volume of 600 ml. Unstructured models, predicated on the Monod and Luedeking-Piret equations, were employed to simulate the growth of the bacterium, glucose consumption, and lactic acid production at different dilution rates in continuous cultures. The maximum specific growth rate of L. rhamnosus, mu-max, was estimated at 0.40 h(-1), and the Monod cell growth saturation constant, Ks, at approximately 0.25 g/L. Maximum cell viability (1.3 x 10(10) CFU/ml) was achieved in the dilution rate range of D = 0.28 h(-1) to 0.35 h(-1). Both maximum viable cell yield and productivity were achieved at D = 0.35 h(-1). The continuous cultivation of L. rhamnosus at D = 0.35 h(-1) resulted in substantial improvements in cell productivity, of 267% (viable cell count) that achieved via batch cultivation.

Matched MeSH terms: Culture Media*
A new cell culture tube in diagnostic virology for virus isolation

Chua KB, Chua KH, Chua IL, Chen KF

Malays J Pathol, 2004 Jun;26(1):69-71.
PMID: 16190110

Virus isolation and accurate characterization plays a crucial role in the rapid identification of the causative agents of infectious disease outbreaks especially if the causative viruses are novel where no pre-existing diagnostic reagents would be available. A new cell culture tube, named Jui Meng (JM) Cell Culture Tube, was developed to reduce the cost and improve the efficiency and biosafety of work pertaining to virus isolation. The design of the tube is based heavily on the principle of practicability, functionality, biosafety and long-term cost saving for diagnostic laboratory work in virus isolation. It is designed to culture an initial inoculum of one milliliter of culture medium containing 1 x 10(4) to 1 x 10(5) cells/ml.

Matched MeSH terms: Cell Culture Techniques/instrumentation*
Assertiveness among Japanese, Malaysian, Filipino, and U.S. white-collar workers

Niikura R

J Soc Psychol, 1999 Dec;139(6):690-9.
PMID: 10646304

The author investigated modes of self-expression as they reflect the quality of assertiveness among Japanese, Malaysian, Filipino, and U.S. white-collar workers. The author collected respondents' answers to a questionnaire consisting of 33 items involving assertiveness related to modes of expression typical of the Japanese people. Several modes of expression considered specific to the Japanese people--styles of group-oriented behavior, younger people's courtesy toward older people, and the deference of the individual to group consensus--were also found among the Malaysian and the Filipino respondents. These behaviors were in contrast to those observed among the U.S. respondents.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison; Culture*
Is one wife enough? Polygamy's increasingly threatened role in the modern world

Asiaweek, 1993 Dec 8.
PMID: 12346310
Matched MeSH terms: Culture*
The resolution of the Latah paradox

Simons RC

J. Nerv. Ment. Dis., 1980 Apr;168(4):195-206.
PMID: 7365478

Latah is a culture-bound syndrome from Malaysia and Indonesia. Persons exhibiting the Latah syndrome respond to minimal stimuli with exaggerated startles, often exclaimning normally inhibited sexually denotative words. Sometimes Latahs after being startled obey the commands or imitate the actions of persons about them. Most episodes of Latah are intentionally provoked for the amusement of onlookers. Similar sets of interactive behaviors have been reported from genetically and culturally unrelated populations (e.g., Bantu, Ainu, and French Canadians). Since competent anthropological investigators have shown Latah to be intimately tied to specific factors in the cultural systems of the Southeast Asian societies in which it is found, its occurrence elswhere has been considered paradoxical. New data, including films and videotapes of hyperstartling persons from Malaysia, the Philippines, Japan, and the United States, suggest a model capable of resolving the apparent paradox by showing how the various forms of latah are culture-specific exploitations of a neurophysiological potential shared by humans and other mammals. Latah provides an especially revealing example of the complex ways in which neurophysiological, experiential, and cultural variables interact to produce a strongly marked and phenomenon.

Matched MeSH terms: Cross-Cultural Comparison; Cultural Characteristics*; Culture*
'Mother Needles': lessons on inter-ethnic psychiatry in Malaysian society

Provencher R

Soc Sci Med, 1984;18(2):139-46.
PMID: 6701558 DOI: 10.1016/0277-9536(84)90034-0

Details of curing rituals symbolize social traumas. Western based psychiatrists are often not very successful in treating Malay patients because of the difficulty of understanding the ritual signs. This paper focusses upon cultural details as they relate to a curer. The paper begins by discussing 'medical pluralism' and proceeds to a consideration of one local healer.

Matched MeSH terms: Culture*
The retrospect and prospect of the applications of biotechnology in Phoenix dactylifera L

Gantait S, El-Dawayati MM, Panigrahi J, Labrooy C, Verma SK

Appl Microbiol Biotechnol, 2018 Oct;102(19):8229-8259.
PMID: 30054703 DOI: 10.1007/s00253-018-9232-x

Date palm (Phoenix dactylifera L.) is one of the most important fruit trees that contribute a major part to the economy of Middle East and North African countries. It is quintessentially called "tree of life" owing to its resilience to adverse climatic conditions, along with manifold nutritional-cum-medicinal attributes that comes from its fruits and other plant parts. Being a tree with such immense utility, it has gained substantial attention of tree breeders for its genetic advancement via in vitro biotechnological interventions. Herein, an extensive review of biotechnological research advances in date palm has been consolidated as one of the major research achievements during the past two decades. This article compares the different biotechnological techniques used in this species such as: tissue and organ culture, bioreactor-mediated large-scale propagation, cell suspension culture, embryogenic culture, protoplast culture, conservation (for short- and long-term) of germplasms, in vitro mutagenesis, in vitro selection against biotic and abiotic stresses, secondary metabolite production in vitro, and genetic transformation. This review provides an insight on crop improvement and breeding programs for improved yield and quality fruits; besides, it would undeniably facilitate the tissue culture-based research on date palm for accelerated propagation and enhanced production of quality planting materials, along with conservation and exchange of germplasms, and genetic engineering. In addition, the unexplored research methodologies and major bottlenecks identified in this review should be contemplated on in near future.

Matched MeSH terms: Cell Culture Techniques/methods
Fulltext Enhancement of Biomass and Calcium Carbonate Biomineralization of Chlorellavulgaris through Plackett-Burman Screening and Box-Behnken Optimization Approach

Chin ZW, Arumugam K, Ashari SE, Faizal Wong FW, Tan JS, Ariff AB, et al.

Molecules, 2020 Jul 28;25(15).
PMID: 32731437 DOI: 10.3390/molecules25153416

The biosynthesis of calcium carbonate (CaCO3) minerals through a metabolic process known as microbially induced calcium carbonate precipitation (MICP) between diverse microorganisms, and organic/inorganic compounds within their immediate microenvironment, gives rise to a cementitious biomaterial that may emerge as a promissory alternative to conventional cement. Among photosynthetic microalgae, Chlorella vulgaris has been identified as one of the species capable of undergoing such activity in nature. In this study, response surface technique was employed to ascertain the optimum condition for the enhancement of biomass and CaCO3 precipitation of C. vulgaris when cultured in Blue-Green (BG)-11 aquaculture medium. Preliminary screening via Plackett-Burman Design showed that sodium nitrate (NaNO3), sodium acetate, and urea have a significant effect on both target responses (p < 0.05). Further refinement was conducted using Box-Behnken Design based on these three factors. The highest production of 1.517 g/L C. vulgaris biomass and 1.143 g/L of CaCO3 precipitates was achieved with a final recipe comprising of 8.74 mM of NaNO3, 61.40 mM of sodium acetate and 0.143 g/L of urea, respectively. Moreover, polymorphism analyses on the collected minerals through morphological examination via scanning electron microscopy and crystallographic elucidation by X-ray diffraction indicated to predominantly calcite crystalline structure.

Matched MeSH terms: Culture Media/chemistry
Influence of Culture Conditions and Medium Compositions on the Production of Bacteriocin-Like Inhibitory Substances by Lactococcus lactis Gh1

Jawan R, Abbasiliasi S, Tan JS, Mustafa S, Halim M, Ariff AB

Microorganisms, 2020 Sep 23;8(10).
PMID: 32977375 DOI: 10.3390/microorganisms8101454

Antibacterial peptides or bacteriocins produced by many strains of lactic acid bacteria have been used as food preservatives for many years without any known adverse effects. Bacteriocin titres can be modified by altering the physiological and nutritional factors of the producing bacterium to improve the production in terms of yield and productivity. The effects of culture conditions (initial pH, inoculum age and inoculum size) and medium compositions (organic and inorganic nitrogen sources; carbon sources) were assessed for the production of bacteriocin-like inhibitory substances (BLIS) by Lactococcus lactis Gh1 in shake flask cultures. An inoculum of the mid-exponential phase culture at 1% (v/v) was the optimal age and size, while initial pH of culture media at alkaline and acidic state did not show a significant impact on BLIS secretion. Organic nitrogen sources were more favourable for BLIS production compared to inorganic sources. Production of BLIS by L. lactis Gh1 in soytone was 1.28-times higher as compared to that of organic nitrogen sources ((NH4)2SO4). The highest cell concentration (XmX = 0.69 ± 0.026 g·L-1) and specific growth rate (μmax = 0.14 h-1) were also observed in cultivation using soytone. By replacing carbon sources with fructose, BLIS production was increased up to 34.94% compared to BHI medium, which gave the biomass cell concentration and specific growth rate of 0.66 ± 0.002 g·L-1 and 0.11 h-1, respectively. It can be concluded that the fermentation factors have pronounced influences on the growth of L. lactis Gh1 and BLIS production. Results from this study could be used for subsequent application in process design and optimisation for improving BLIS production by L. lactis Gh1 at larger scale.

Matched MeSH terms: Culture Media; Batch Cell Culture Techniques
Improvement of tissue culture, genetic transformation, and applications of biotechnology to Brassica

Ravanfar SA, Orbovic V, Moradpour M, Abdul Aziz M, Karan R, Wallace S, et al.

Biotechnol Genet Eng Rev, 2017 Apr;33(1):1-25.
PMID: 28460558 DOI: 10.1080/02648725.2017.1309821

Development of in vitro plant regeneration method from Brassica explants via organogenesis and somatic embryogenesis is influenced by many factors such as culture environment, culture medium composition, explant sources, and genotypes which are reviewed in this study. An efficient in vitro regeneration system to allow genetic transformation of Brassica is a crucial tool for improving its economical value. Methods to optimize transformation protocols for the efficient introduction of desirable traits, and a comparative analysis of these methods are also reviewed. Hence, binary vectors, selectable marker genes, minimum inhibitory concentration of selection agents, reporter marker genes, preculture media, Agrobacterium concentration and regeneration ability of putative transformants for improvement of Agrobacterium-mediated transformation of Brassica are discussed.

Matched MeSH terms: Cell Culture Techniques/methods*
Bioprocess Optimization for Exopolysaccharides Production by Ganoderma lucidum in Semi-industrial Scale

Alsaheb RA, Zjeh KZ, Malek RA, Abdullah JK, El Baz A, El Deeb N, et al.

Recent Pat Food Nutr Agric, 2020;11(3):211-218.
PMID: 32178622 DOI: 10.2174/2212798411666200316153148

BACKGROUND: For many years, Ganoderma was highly considered as biofactory for the production of different types of bioactive metabolites. Of these bioactive compounds, polysaccharides gained much attention based on their high biotherapeutic properties. Therefore, special attention has been paid during the last years for the production of mushrooms bioactive compounds in a closed cultivation system to shorten the cultivation time and increase the product yield.
OBJECTIVES: This work focuses on the development of a simple cultivation strategy for exopolysaccharides (EPS) production using Ganoderma lucidum and submerged cultivation system.
METHODS: At first, the best medium supporting EPS production was chosen experimentally from the current published data. Second, like many EPS production processes, carbon and nitrogen concentrations were optimized to support the highest production of polysaccharides in the shake flask level. Furthermore, the process was scaled up in 16-L stirred tank bioreactor.
RESULTS: The results clearly demonstrated that the best cultivation strategy was cultivation under controlled pH conditions (pH 5.5). Under this condition, the maximal volumetric and specific yield of EPS production were, 5.0 g/L and 0.42 g/g, respectively.
CONCLUSION: The current results clearly demonstrate the high potential use of submerged cultivation system as an alternative to conventional solid-state fermentation for EPS production by G. lucidum. Furthermore, the optimization of both carbon and nitrogen sources concentration and scaling up of the process showed a significant increase in both volumetric and specific EPS production.

Matched MeSH terms: Culture Media; Batch Cell Culture Techniques
Fulltext An examination of the factorial and convergent validity of four measures of conspiracist ideation, with recommendations for researchers

Swami V, Barron D, Weis L, Voracek M, Stieger S, Furnham A

PLoS One, 2017;12(2):e0172617.
PMID: 28231266 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0172617

A number scales have been developed to measure conspiracist ideation, but little attention has been paid to the factorial validity of these scales. We reassessed the psychometric properties of four widely-used scales, namely the Belief in Conspiracy Theories Inventory (BCTI), the Conspiracy Mentality Questionnaire (CMQ), the Generic Conspiracist Beliefs Scale (GCBS), and the One-Item Conspiracy Measure (OICM). Eight-hundred-and-three U.S. adults completed all measures, along with measures of endorsement of 9/11 and anti-vaccination conspiracy theories. Through both exploratory and confirmatory factor analysis, we found that only the BCTI had acceptable factorial validity. We failed to confirm the factor structures of the CMQ and the GBCS, suggesting these measures had poor factorial validity. Indices of convergent validity were acceptable for the BCTI, but weaker for the other measures. Based on these findings, we provide suggestions for the future refinement in the measurement of conspiracist ideation.

Matched MeSH terms: Culture*
Editorial: Cuddling: the influences of culture and sex

Hussey HH

JAMA, 1976 Jan 26;235(4):417.
PMID: 946090
Matched MeSH terms: Culture*
Impact of Three-Dimentional Culture Systems on Hepatic Differentiation of Puripotent Stem Cells and Beyond

Ramasamy TS, Ong ALC, Cui W

Adv Exp Med Biol, 2018 10 26;1077:41-66.
PMID: 30357683 DOI: 10.1007/978-981-13-0947-2_4

Generation of functional hepatocytes from human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) is a vital tool to produce large amounts of human hepatocytes, which hold a great promise for biomedical and regenerative medicine applications. Despite a tremendous progress in developing the differentiation protocols recapitulating the developmental signalling and stages, these resulting hepatocytes from hPSCs yet achieve maturation and functionality comparable to those primary hepatocytes. The absence of 3D milieu in the culture and differentiation of these hepatocytes may account for this, at least partly, thus developing an optimal 3D culture could be a step forward to achieve this aim. Hence, review focuses on current development of 3D culture systems for hepatic differentiation and maturation and the future perspectives of its application.

Matched MeSH terms: Cell Culture Techniques/trends*
Should psychosocial safety climate theory be extended to include climate strength?

Afsharian A, Zadow A, Dollard MF, Dormann C, Ziaian T

J Occup Health Psychol, 2018 Oct;23(4):496-507.
PMID: 28857596 DOI: 10.1037/ocp0000101

Psychosocial safety climate (PSC; climate for psychological health) is an organizational antecedent to work conditions articulated in the job demands-resources model. We responded to calls for broader consideration of organizational climate in terms of both climate level and strength. We tested PSC level and strength as main and interactive predictors of work conditions, psychological health, and engagement. Using multilevel analysis and cross-sectional data, the effects of unit-level PSC constructs were investigated in 21 hospital work units (n = 249 employees) in Australia. The correlation between PSC levels (measured at the unit mean) and PSC strength (measured as unit -1 × SD) was moderate and positive, suggesting that ceiling effects of PSC scores were not problematic. PSC level was a better predictor than PSC strength or their interactions for job demands (psychological and emotional demands), job resources (e.g., skill discretion and organizational support), and health (emotional exhaustion). For engagement, the interaction was significant-improving engagement, therefore, benefits from high levels of PSC and PSC strength within the work units. So, in answer to the research question regarding PSC theory extension, "it depends on the outcome." Research limitations are acknowledged, and the potential of the PSC model to guide the reduction of workplace psychosocial risk factors and the negative consequences is discussed. (PsycINFO Database Record (c) 2018 APA, all rights reserved).

Matched MeSH terms: Organizational Culture*
Fulltext Modelling the effect of 2-4, D on the growth kinetics of cell suspension cultures of Ficus deltoidea L

Ling, A.P.K., Halmi, M.I.E., Hussein, S., Ong S.L.

Journal of Biochemistry, Microbiology and Biotechnology, 2015;3(2):1-5.
MyJurnal

The mistletoe fig (Ficus deltoidea) is frequently found in several areas of the world, and primarily functions as houseplant or an ornamental shrub. The plant is discovered indigenous generally in Asia tropical region for example Indonesia, Philippines, Malaysia, and Thailand. Scientific studies on the effect of plant growth regulators on cells production from this plant are vital as optimization of cells production may result in effective production of secondary products characterization and output. The growth of cell suspension cultures from this plant shows sigmoidal property. In this work, we model the effect of the plant growth regulator 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) on the growth kinetics of the cells from this plant according to the modified Gompertz model. The coefficient of determination showed good agreement between experimental and predicted data with values ranging from 0.97-0.98. The results showed that 2,4-D at 2 mg/L was optimal for achieving the highest cells growth rate. It is anticipated that the growth parameter constants extracted from the modelling exercise will be helpful in the future for additional secondary modelling on the effect of media conditions as well as other factors on cells growth.

Matched MeSH terms: Culture Media, Conditioned; Cell Culture Techniques
Production, structure and morphology of exopolysaccharides yielded by submerged fermentation of Antrodia cinnamomea

Chen L, Wang Z, Zhang B, Ge M, Ng H, Niu Y, et al.

Carbohydr Polym, 2019 Feb 01;205:271-278.
PMID: 30446105 DOI: 10.1016/j.carbpol.2018.10.070

Carbon and nitrogen sources in culture medium of Antrodia cinnamomea were optimized to eliminate the interference of exterior macromolecules on exopolysaccharide (EPS) yield by submerged fermentation. The results suggested that culture medium containing 50 g/L of glucose and 20 g/L of yeast extract as the optimal carbon and nitrogen sources could produce 1.03 g/L of exopolysaccharides. After purification, two heteropolysaccharides (AC-EPS1 and AC-EPS2) were obtained and characterized to provide the basic structure information. As the main component of the produced EPS, AC-EPS2 (accounting for 89.63%) was mainly composed of galactose (87.42%) with Mw (molecular weight) and R.M.S. (root-mean-square) radius of 1.18 × 105 g/mol and 25.3 nm, respectively. Furthermore, the spherical and flexible chain morphologies of EPS were observed in different solvents by TEM. The structural and morphological information of purified EPS were significant for further study on their structure-activity relationship and related applications.

Matched MeSH terms: Culture Media/chemistry
Fulltext Application of Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope-Nanomanipulation System on Spheroplast Yeast Cells Surface Observation

Rad MA, Ahmad MR, Nakajima M, Kojima S, Homma M, Fukuda T

Scanning, 2017;2017:8393578.
PMID: 29109826 DOI: 10.1155/2017/8393578

The preparation and observations of spheroplast W303 cells are described with Environmental Scanning Electron Microscope (ESEM). The spheroplasting conversion was successfully confirmed qualitatively, by the evaluation of the morphological change between the normal W303 cells and the spheroplast W303 cells, and quantitatively, by determining the spheroplast conversion percentage based on the OD800 absorbance data. From the optical microscope observations as expected, the normal cells had an oval shape whereas spheroplast cells resemble a spherical shape. This was also confirmed under four different mediums, that is, yeast peptone-dextrose (YPD), sterile water, sorbitol-EDTA-sodium citrate buffer (SCE), and sorbitol-Tris-Hcl-CaCl2 (CaS). It was also observed that the SCE and CaS mediums had a higher number of spheroplast cells as compared to the YPD and sterile water mediums. The OD800 absorbance data also showed that the whole W303 cells were fully converted to the spheroplast cells after about 15 minutes. The observations of the normal and the spheroplast W303 cells were then performed under an environmental scanning electron microscope (ESEM). The normal cells showed a smooth cell surface whereas the spheroplast cells had a bleb-like surface after the loss of its integrity when removing the cell wall.

Matched MeSH terms: Culture Media/chemistry

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